Business support agencies in the South-East have pledged to work together to improve the region's economic prospects.

Closer cooperation, a stronger customer focus and greater openness are the basis of an agreement signed by the South-East England Development Agency (Seeda), the Small Business Service (SBS), the South-East Regional Management Team and the Business Links in the region.

The aim is to secure the proper strategic planning and delivery of business support and related services across the South-East and to deliver highquality, customer-focused business support in a co-ordinated and cost-effective manner.

Seeda already works in conjunction with the SBS and the region's Business Links on a number of projects but the agreement should bring them even closer and encourage more effective coordination.

The agencies will consult and work closely to ensure the effective development and delivery of a number of regional and national programmes and initiatives.

These include the manufacturing and farm business advisory services and the business incubation fund.

Key points in the agreement include:

Recognition and acceptance
of each organisation's role and responsibilities.

A willingness to share and
work together constructively.

A commitment to consult and
to keep each other informed of developments.

Mutually support and positively
promote each other's interests and agendas.

Announcing the agreement, Seeda chairman Allan Willett said: "We are committed to ensuring that this concordat is carried out successfully to maximise our collective contribution to the development of the regional economy.

"The true measure of success will be the degree to which the written commitments to joint dialogue and working together are translated into positive and demonstrable action with real outcomes.

"This would be achieved through formal and informal mechanisms and through agreeing, on a regular basis, key regional priorities for planning and joint action."

SBS chief executive Martin Wyn Griffith said: "Business Links need to work closely with the regional development agency to support the delivery of their region's economic strategy.

"This agreement sets out a framework for co-ordination in the South-East which will benefit our small business customers."